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Friday, August 05, 2016

Dear Readers, I hadn’t
read any of Linda Rodante’s books before we scheduled the first two in this
series. She is an author to keep an eye on. I loved both Amber Alert, which we featured earlier this summer, and this book As Long As You Both Shall Live. I’m
eager to read book three. Her characters are living, breathing people, who are
also flawed. They tugged me right into the story with them, and as soon as I
finished reading book one, I immediately started book two. Loved the setting,
the storylines, the suspense, the romance—the whole package. You won’t want to
miss them.

Welcome back, Linda. Why
do you write the kind of books you do?

I’ve always loved romantic suspense novels and when I
started reading Christian fiction, I realized I could actually write something
entertaining that also highlighted God’s goodness and purposes. A win-win
situation.

Besides when you came
to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?

I have to say it was when I realized that both my sons’
belief in God had become a foundation of their adult lives.

How has being
published changed your life?

It is what I do fulltime now, so it has changed my “career.”
I am actually an author. J It has also expanded my horizons and my friendships.

What are you reading
right now?

Where There’s Smoke
by Susan May Warren--another romantic suspense, and it’s good.

What is your current
work in progress?

I just finished Splashdown,
book 3 of my The Dangerous Series. It should be out by the time this interview
is posted. Splashdown is a little
different than the other books, more police procedural. Still lots of romance.
And all my books have strong spiritual elements.

What would be your
dream vacation?

Two weeks in the Appalachian Mountains
with my family, but with a weekend worship festival thrown in.

How do you choose
your settings for each book?

I chose places I love and know. I want to be able to bring
realistic scenery and lifestyles to the reader. One day I might do a long
vacation to someplace in particular just to have a particular setting.

If you could spend an
evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?

Wow. That’s really hard because so many people have so much
to give, and I’m not enamored of movie stars, sport stars, or singers. So, it
comes back to family again. Maybe because my younger son and his family are in Botswana, Africa,
for three years. Right now, I would spend time with anyone or all of them if
possible.

What are your
hobbies, besides writing and reading?

To tell you the truth, I am a home-body, but I love
beautiful places and taking pictures, so a ride or walk at the beach or up a
mountain is great. Stop and get something to eat and enjoy the time. My husband
and I also love to bike. We have two old-fashioned bikes and take rides around
the neighborhood or at the parks nearby. The whole family likes to play cards
and board games when we get together.

What is your most
difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?

Keeping up with social media is the hardest. I truly love
staying connected with so many people, but my time to do it is limited—if I
want to write and have a life. I have to set up time boundaries each day so I
don’t stay online too long!

What advice would you
give to a beginning author?

Take writing courses, buy writing books and read them, get
in a critique group, and go to conferences. Learning your craft should be at
the top of your list.

Tell us about the
featured book.

As Long As You Both Shall Live is Book 2 in The Dangerous
Series. It features the same couple from Amber
Alert as they move forward in their relationship. John Jergenson returns
home after a month’s long mission trip to Indonesia. His mind is set on
asking Sharee Jones to marry him and return to the islands as missionaries. But
Sharee has enough to think about—anonymous phone calls, an attack on her life,
and uneasiness about their relationship. The last thing she wants is a marriage
proposal. When someone runs her down, and she winds up in the hospital, things
get serious. Can John keep her alive, keep her ex-boyfriend out of the picture,
and fend off the attentions of another woman long enough to convince Sharee to
walk down the aisle?

Please give us the
first page of the book.

She was always on time.

He could see the church parking lot from the edge of the
woods. Glancing at his watch, he shifted position and made sure the trees
concealed him. Cars exited the main road, bumped down the drive, and pulled in
for the evening service. A steady stream of people parked and entered the
building.

The woman who called earlier had not given her name—only a
message. “Sharee’s getting engaged. She’s going to get married. Just thought
you’d want to know.” And although he’d fought the urge to come, he had
surrendered to the rising anger before the afternoon ended.

His fists clenched. Just like anyone else, he had a right to
be here. He could even walk into the church. They couldn’t do anything about
it. She couldn’t. Not like before. He contemplated doing that, going in,
finding a seat near her, and listening to the sermon.

No.

He didn’t want to play games.

His head rose in time to see her Honda CR-V turn into the
long drive. Parking next to the side door, she jumped out and hurried inside.
She hadn’t changed. Same petite body, same untamed hair and, he was sure, the
same puritanical attitudes.

No, he didn’t want to play games. What he wanted was not
nearly so innocent.

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